The Obama Administration has made history yet again, this time with a statement which potentially protects transgender children in public schools.

A letter will go out today stating that trans kids may use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Schools that choose to defy the decree will face lawsuits or a loss of federal aid. The declaration is backed by both the federal Department of Education and Department of Justice.

Republicans, states rights advocates and bigots alike are all likely to throw epic hissy fits over this bold act of protection. This week the DOJ and the State of North Carolina have been duking it out over HB2, the North Carolina bill that made it illegal for trans people to use the bathroom which matches their gender identity.

“No student should ever have to go through the experience of feeling unwelcome at school or on a college campus,” John B. King Jr., the secretary of the Department of Education, said in a statement. “We must ensure that our young people know that whoever they are or wherever they come from, they have the opportunity to get a great education in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and violence.

Currently, parents will have to confirm that their children are indeed transgender, which brings up a host of issues for children who are not in safe families or simply are not ready to come out. The decree is accompanied by a 25-page emergency procedure booklet and how-to guide.

Laurel Dickman is an intersectional feminist, plus size model, stylist, and fat activist that can also be found via her blogs, Exile In Dietville and 2 Broke Bitches. She grew up in the south between Florida and North Carolina, migrating to the Portland, OR in 2005. All three places inform her perspective of the world around her a great deal. While in Portland, she worked with the Alley 33 Annual Fashion Show, PudgePDX, PDX Fatshion, Plumplandia, and numerous other projects over the near decade that she was there. In August of 2014, she moved to the Bay area with her partner, David and trusty kitty, Dorian Gray. She continues her body positive and intersectional feminism through various forms of activism, fashion, photography projects, and writing from her home in the East Bay. She can be reached at laurel@wyvmag.com and encourages readers to reach out to her to collaborate!